This role joins our Head of Policy and works on policy development and delivery on things like affordable housing, design, commercial and employment land, town/city centre recovery and regeneration, and zero carbon homes to ensure that the outputs reflect the ambition of the organisation as a whole.

The role acts as the first point of contact on all matters relating to our strategy for Advanced Manufacturing in Construction and for Zero Carbon Homes. 

What will you be doing?

• Lead the delivery of our strategy for Advanced Manufacturing in Construction through collaborative forums including a dedicated officer working group, an Expert Advisory Panel and Supplier Panel, procuring and commissioning external resources as necessary
• Lead the delivery of our strategy for Zero Carbon Homes through collaborative forums including a dedicated officer working group representing local authorities, several directorates in WMCA and external organisations
• Support the take up of the Regional Design Charter by local authorities, developers and investors through the publication of a ‘long form’ document, website, training and dissemination of best practice as appropriate
• Track future trends, opportunities and research on project-based work, including major government policy announcements and policy shifts
• Contribute to team development of clear and transparent systems and processes for evaluating/monitoring/analysing project and programme performance including measuring delivery of prescribed outputs
• Review of policy documents as necessary based on outcomes of monitoring processes
• Prepare robust analytical reports and presentations to WMCA Boards as necessary
• Contribute to business case proposals for devolved functions and funding from central Government and the WMCA itself including priority work on Advanced Methods of Construction and zero carbon homes
• Develop effective engagement and stakeholder relationships with central and local government, business and academia on major business cases, policy change and research/analysis

About you

This is a delivery-focused role which requires a mindset able to think creatively and strategically, delivering policy outcomes on both site specific and thematic projects.  The ability to work across several WMCA directorates, with local authorities, the private sector and other external organisations strategies is an essential requirement of the role.

Educated to degree level, you will have already gained some post-qualification experience (perhaps as a Town Planner or Chartered Surveyor) and have some experience of planning policy formulation and implementation. We'd like you to understand the national, regional and local policy landscape, ideally covering housing growth, regeneration, economic development, investment and infrastructure.

Fulfilment of this role will require excellent stakeholder engagement and the ability to develop collaborative and constructive relationships with a wide range of organisations including local authorities, suppliers, leading experts and academia.

You'll need a can-do attitude, a creative mindset, and a willingness to learn and ask informed questions in order to embrace new policy ideas and a interest in unlocking the real estate potential of brownfield sites in the region. 

About the team

West Midlands Combined Authority’s Housing & Land Team is developing the UK’s most successful, innovative and delivery focused housing and regeneration programme, combining the very best of the public and private sectors to drive inclusive growth in all parts of the region. The Housing & Land Team is at the forefront of implementing WMCA’s inclusive growth mission, and demonstrating the links between housing, skills, transport, health and economic growth. A whole team approach that combines working with local councils, LEPs, Whitehall and the private sector sits front and centre of our way of working. 

Our overall aim and ambition: “To enable the delivery of 215,000 new homes by 2031, significantly increasing the proportion of affordable housing and driving new quality and design benchmarks”.

About us

Our role in the West Midlands has never been more important and in these extraordinary times we’ve shown we can step forward, speak up for our region and bring people together. Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work. 

We fully believe that we are only as great as the people who work for us and are committed to providing a positive, healthy and inclusive working environment where our people feel valued and respected. We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women.

Our employees feel they can make a difference and are excited by the growth and the potential to shape the future. As we undergo a period of significant change, our employees are engaging with what is going on and we are encouraging a culture where people feel they can contribute towards improvements.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality and curiosity from those who work with us. We’re committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves.

If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.